House passes bill to prevent gouging by tow truck companies

OLYMPIA — The Washington state House has passed a measure to cap tow truck fees.

Under the bill passed Saturday, tow truck companies could charge up to about $270 to tow a vehicle and impound it for half a day and another $60 for storage per day thereafter.

Currently, the Washington State Patrol sets limits on how much tow truck drivers contracting with it can charge for their services. There are no such limits on tow truck operators contracting with private property owners, however.

Rep. Gerry Pollet, a Seattle Democrat, is the bill sponsor. He said it would stop the practice of tow truck operators charging in some cases more than $1,000 for their services.